Pc All Of A Sudden Just Crapped Out

hey all. I went to restart my XP pro sp1 machine today and when I selected shut down, it went to the "Windows is shutting down. saving your settings..." and it just hung there and wouldn't go any farther. I didn't think much of it so I unplugged ( :banging: ) the computer and hit the power button again. it started up normally but then hung at "Windows is Starting up..." for a VERY long time. Eventually it got to the login screen and I typed in my password and that also took a very long time to login. once I was in, I could not open any programs like Firebird or AIM or winamp. All that I could open was folders, task manager, YzDock, and msconfig.

I have no clue what happened because I wasn't editing any system files before I rebooted. Also, one time I booted up after all this happened, I got the RPC error and my computer shut down after one minute. I went to the other computer downstairs and put that virus fix on a floppy and tried to load it on the broken computer, but it said it was not a valid win32 application. So no go there. I don't know what to do, but there are some files on that computer that I really really need and I can't open any server applications or use the network with it in that state so I can't back any of it up. I'd be willing to reformat as long as I could get those files off. Everything was working just fine before I restarted, so I have absolutely NO clue what happened or what to do.

I'm using another computer to type this. I hope you guys can help. Any ideas?

#103432

Thats funny, I always used to unplug my computer and it didnt do anything, maybe I just got lucky...

solution? reformat, that is all I can think of.

#103472

Use the recovery console (boot from cd) to replace system files maybe

#103476

sure I'd reformat but I NEED to get some files off of it. If I could just be able to use the internet temporarily then I could get the files off, but I haven't a clue where to start

#103487

scan for viruses, etc. if that doesn't work, do a repair installation.

1. put the cd in the tray and boot from the cd.

2. go to setup windows.

3. choose to repair windows.

#103499

the PC came with XP already installed so I don't have the actual XP pro CD. also, I can't scan for viruses since nearly all programs will not load. Would it be legal for me to download an iso of XP since technically I have purchased it?

#103503

i'm not sure about the legality of it, but you did purchase xp indirectly i suppose, but companies usually give you the cd. are you sure you don't even have an upgrade cd? do you have a cd key? you need one.

do you have any friends with the cd? you could use those and put in your key.

#103509

Damn. I'll check but I really dont think so. I'll look around.

#103521

also, I can only get in Safe Mode so can I still repair XP with an xp cd?

#103539

From safe mode you should be able to back up whatever files you want before reformatting. I've done it myself a couple of times that way.

#103543

you don't need to even load into windows to do the repair installation.

i would try that first because if it works, you'll have a usable pc again, and if that doesn't work, backup the files and reformat.

#103566

Originally posted by ji eun@Jan 22 2004, 06:37 PM

From safe mode you should be able to back up whatever files you want before reformatting.  I've done it myself a couple of times that way.

how do I do that?

#103571

safe mode with command prompt right?

copy "[folder/file]" "[destination](cd-rw or extra drive)"

#103572

try doing this: it is a bit technical but you'll get your files off no sweat.first off you must not have your files both ntfs and encrypted. first open your computer up (if this will void your warranty call the manufacturer and have him/her do it for you) then unscrew your hard drive. then unplug the cables that are plugged into it from the hard drive. then put it in your other computer instead of your cd/dvd drive. then boot into the os that is on the other computer (not off of the hard drive you just plugged in) and copy your files from one hard drive to the other. trust me. i built my own computer so i know these things :smartass:

#103635

good idea, but the repair installation of XP is going. it's been going for some time now; it says it will be done in 39 minutes but its making no noise like stuff is being loaded off the CD or files being moved around on the computer. I don't know if its working, it just hasn't made much noise (like an installation) in a long time

#103662

when I installed Windows XP it didn't make any noise for 20 mins, and worked well.

I would make sure al the cables and things are secured safly to the drives.

if you re-install Windows, I think you should delete ALL partitions, and do a CLEAN install. This will fix the MBR (if there is a virus), and it will delete every last file. Create your partitions and format them... finaly install Windows XP.

#103668

well sure, once it's done reparing and I can move these files, I'll reformat and do a complete new install.

#103674

ok repair did not work. I took the hard drive out and im gonna hook it up to my firewire enclosure and move the files off. hope this works

#103692

Sucks... Had problems like this before, where recovery wouldnt work... If the copy off doesnt work you may want to try reinstalling straight without a reformat. It will warn you that you still have an installation on the hard drive, but you can safely do it without any problems. This may be a good solution if your firewire copy doesnt work, cause you can at least temporarily reinstall without reformatting. You can use the fresh install to copy files off and then do your reformat afterwards if you feel the need.

Just a suggestion.

Cheers,

#103772

ok got all video and audio and various files backed up, the only problem is when I try to go into C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\ it won't let me go into any folders in Application Data. says access denied. All my aim logs are in there and all My Documents and My Pictures and I'm locked out of them. whats goin on here?

#103929

it sounds like a permission problem. give yourself permission over that folder and the subfolders.

#103935

ok I did but now whenever I try to move .jpg .bmp .zip .rar .log .doc .html it says the file is in use, when it's not?

edit: ok I got it all worked out. drive is being formatted and Im gonna reinstall XP. what about this Activation thing with XP? will I have any problems with that?

#103947

ok everything is up and running but I cant connect to the internet. when I went to device manager, there were yellow question marks next to these things:

Ethernet Controller

Multimedia Audio Controller

SM Bus Controller

how do I install the driver for "Ethernet Controller" if I don't know what kind it is?

#104026

what kind of motherboard do you have?

install you mobo/chipset drivers.

#104035

Originally posted by dreamz@Jan 23 2004, 07:00 PM

what kind of motherboard do you have?

install you mobo/chipset drivers.

what the hell does that mean?

#104048